While pain flares occur spontaneously, you can keep an eye out for warning signs to help you prepare.

Managing breakthrough pain can vary based on the root cause. At the same time, standard rules do apply:

Plan ahead, at home and with your doctor. Work with your rheumatologist or pain specialist to come up with a plan of attack for when a pain flare hits, sometimes an adjustment to your medication may be needed to alleviate some of the pain. At home, plan to have anything that helps ease pain flares (ice packs, heating pads and, if you work, make sure you have enough sick days to cover any time you may need to be away from work and off your feet).

Stay healthy. Wash your hands and avoid catching colds or getting any kind of infection as these can be triggers for pain flares.

Keep active. To keep yourself strong and keep pain flares at bay, stay active. Light activity like walking, biking or swimming can keep your heart healthy and help you stay strong. Be sure to make some time for rest, too. While a body in motion stays in motion, too much activity can wear you out and trigger pain flares on top of exhaustion.

Manage your mental health. Keep stress levels low by participating in activities that keep anxiety at bay. Try meditation or visualization techniques or participate in activities that help you relax like gardening or book clubs. If you are experiencing depression, talk to your doctor about getting a referral for a psychologist. Many pain clinics and multidisciplinary practices make this access part of the overall care plan.

Try Cold (or Warm) Comfort. When pain hits, treat it with care. Hot and cold pain treatments do well to help alleviate different kinds of pain. For acute pain, cold is a safe bet and for chronic pain, heat will help. If your pain is localized to the joints, a heated compress can help alleviate it by increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles. A cold compress is also effective in constricting blood vessels and disrupting pain sensations. Be sure to apply either heat or cold for no more than 15 minutes at a time, two to four times a day.

Dealing with pain flares and breakthrough pain can be a hassle for those already muddling through chronic conditions or dealing with cancer treatment. However, with a little planning and patience, sufferers can prepare for what’s coming and get through the pain with for however long it decides to stick around.